BURLINGTON — The Vermont Health Department is urging parents to make sure their children are tested for lead poisoning.

Statistics show that testing rates for 1-year-olds increased from 80 percent in 2006 to 81 percent in 2012, but they are still short of the 100 percent goal.

The Health Department says that about 300 Vermont children are found to have elevated levels of lead in their blood. Early detection and prevention of further exposure are critical to keeping children from suffering lifelong health effects, such as lowered IQ.

Lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust are the main sources of lead poisoning in Vermont, which has one of the oldest housing stocks in the nation.

All homes built before 1978 are likely to contain some lead-based paint.